Six Steps to Take After Getting Hit with Hail Storm Roof Damage

HAAAIIILLL NO! 

Of all the forms of precipitation available to us on the prairies, hail is the least beneficial.

It causes crazy-expensive damage to crops, gardens, vehicles, and homes. 

Especially roofs. So that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

If you live in Saskatchewan, you know you’ll deal with hail storm roof damage eventually. Maybe you found us because you’ve already taken a hit or are planning for the future. Either way, we want to outline some practical steps you can take in the aftermath of a hail storm to keep you safe, start the ball rolling with insurance, and ultimately get your roof back to normal. 

Step 1: Stay Safe!

Don’t put yourself or your family at risk! If the storm that passed was particularly nasty, you’ll want to check for immediate dangers like gas leaks or downed power lines right away.

Once you’re 100% certain the danger has passed, you can start a preliminary walk-around. We want to stress the importance of staying off your roof. A wet or damaged roof is hazardous. A basic walk-around of your home will give you some idea of what you’re dealing with over the next few weeks. You can see a few things from the ground with a flashlight or in the daylight.

• Dents in your gutters?

• Damage to downspouts?

• Damage to siding?

• Dented window-frames or metal mailboxes?

• Damage to air-conditioning units?

• Broken windows or damaged screens?

• Dents or cracked glass on outside parked vehicles?

If you see any or all of these, chances are high that your roof took a disproportionate beating from the sky. Even minor dents below the roofline can indicate that you’ve got some roof damage above. 

So, for Step 1, don’t think ‘detail’. Think more about confirming the presence of damage and starting to prepare for your next steps.

Step 2: Document With Pictures and Videos

Once you’ve got the basic idea of what you’re dealing with, it’s time to document it to start your insurance claim process. 

Most of us have a smartphone or camera, so as painstaking as the process might seem, it’s still much easier than the ‘olden days’ of having an assessor take pictures, develop them, and send them to the insurance company. 

Don’t just think of the obvious stuff regarding this step. Try to get everything: those gutter dents, the broken tree branches, the damage to your screens, windowsills, siding, or even anything you can see on the roof (but still stay on the ground!). You can use wide shots of the overall area and close-ups of dents and cracks.

A few tips to make your documentation effective:

1. Be Thorough: The more photos and videos you have, the better. In insurance cases, you can never have too much evidence.

2. Narrate: When filming, say what you’re seeing. “Here’s a close-up of a broken window screen on the north side.” “You can see the dent in my gutter.”

3. Date and Time Stamp: If your camera doesn’t automatically add this information, note the date and time you take the photos and videos.

4. Be Organized: Create a file on your computer or a cloud-storage system named ‘Hail Damage [date]’. Make sure that the documentation is easy to find and share later.

When gearing up to interact with insurance companies, this clear and undeniable record of the damage to your property will be invaluable. You’re making the case that the damage you’re showing was caused by the recent hail event, not a pre-existing issue.

Step 3: Touch Base With Your Insurance Provider

After you document the damage, you can contact your insurance company. The sooner you report the damage, the sooner you can start the repair process. When filing insurance claims, you’ll need to be ready to provide them with the date of the storm, a description of the damage you’ve observed, and all that documentation you’ve collected. 

It can get a bit overwhelming to talk to an insurer, so here are a few tips to simplify the process:

1. Be Honest and Accurate: The facts will speak for themselves. Resist the temptation to exaggerate the damage.

2. Ask Questions: You can ask specific questions about your deductible, your policy’s coverage for hail, wind, or other damages, and the process of making a claim. Get a copy of your claim number, making it easy for you to refer to in all future communications.

3. Resist pressure: You’re in control of this process! If you feel like the company is rushing you, or you’re not understanding, take a step back and ask for a clear reframe of the picture and what’s unfolding.

Step 4: Schedule A Professional Inspection

Your insurance company will plan to send an adjuster, but we’d recommend that you, as the owner, contact a professional roofing contractor (like us!) and get a detailed inspection. Most professional contractors will offer hail storm damage assessments for free.

This step guarantees you’ll get a detailed and accurate assessment of damage that might not be visible to the untrained eye.

The extra inspection by a pro is an absolute must for a few reasons:

1. Expert Eyes: The nature of their work means that roofing contractors have the experience to see signs of damage that even an insurance adjustor might miss. They’ll look for soft spots, granule loss on shingles and flashing or vent damage. 

2. Accurate Scope and Costs: Once the contractor has a good idea of what's required, they can estimate costs for repairs or replacement. If you have this number to work with, you can negotiate with an insurance company.

3. Advocacy: If you find a contractor you like and trust, they’ll often be a great go-between for you and your adjuster, helping make sure you get a fair settlement and that your damage gets properly fixed. Like all specialties, roofing has a language, and a contractor can help bridge your understanding of the damage, the technicalities, and the costs you’re looking at.

When you start your hunt for a contractor, check their reputation and reviews in your community. Google makes that easy with online reviews, but you can also ask for references and ensure they’re fully licensed and insured. Be aware that after a big storm (especially one that makes the news), ‘storm chasers’ often go door to door in neighbourhoods with known damage and attempt to get work. If they’re not a long-term part of your community, it might be challenging to find them again if there are roofing issues in the future.

Step 5: Review The Data

Once everyone has assessed the damage, you’ll get a detailed estimate from the insurance company and the contractor’s proposal. It might feel painstaking, but you need to compare these documents side by side very carefully. The insurance company may give you an estimate lower than the contractor’s. Insurance rates are based on standard pricing for areas and don’t always account for specific damages or the diverse quality of materials needed.

Compare:

1. Scope of Work: Do both documents cover the same scope? Is it the entire roof or just a portion? Are all damaged components, such as vents, flashing, and gutters, accounted for?

2. Materials: Do both documents plan to use the same quality of materials? For example, if the contractor proposes a higher-grade shingle, the insurance company must approve and sign off on that upgrade.

3. Pricing: If there is a significant difference, ask your contractor to explain why their estimate is higher. It could be for a legitimate reason, like better quality materials or a more thorough approach to the work. But you’re allowed to ask for clarity!

Step 6: Choose Your Contractor and Get the Work Done!

Once you and your insurer have agreed on specific repairs and how much they will cost, it's time to lock in a contractor and get the work done! Since you already vetted the contractor in Step 4, you only need to sign the contract and schedule the repairs.

A few guidelines:

1. Sign a Contract: Get a written contract that clearly outlines the scope of work, materials, the total cost, payment schedule and timeline for completion.

2. Do NOT Pay Full-Price Upfront: A reputable contractor never asks for complete payment upfront. It's more common to ask for a percentage to cover materials, then plan for full payment upon completion.

3. Stay in Touch: Plan to stay in communication with your contractor. Asking questions and voicing concerns is your right as a homeowner. A great contractor will make this process straightforward and smooth.

4. Plan for a Final Inspection: Your contractor and crew won’t disappear after the work. Get them to walk around and show you what they’ve done, ensuring you’re happy with the results and that everything on the contract was dealt with properly.

Final Thoughts

The ‘land of living skies’ occasionally becomes the ‘land of skies that throw epic temper tantrums’. Hail sucks, but it’s part of the price we pay to live in beautiful Saskatchewan. If you experience damage, taking the proper steps and getting the right help can get things back to normal as quickly as possible.

You’ve got this!

Also, if you found this article because you were looking up “hail damage” or “roof repair in Saskatoon,” contact us! We know how to fix storm-damaged roofs!